Officials also anticipate the project to create hundreds of new jobs both during and after construction. In total, Simon Property Group says 800 full and part-time jobs will be available at Norfolk Premium Outlets.

Simon has also said the center will house several designer and name-brand stores. They say customers will save between 25 and 65 percent on items sold at the mall.

Mayor Paul Fraim says the Outlet Mall is a win-win for the city.

“I think the region could use this. We lose a lot of these shopping dollars to other parts of the region or out of the region and there will be no reason but to shop here in Norfolk for everything you need,” said Fraim.

The City of Norfolk says the outlet center will house a total of 332,000 square feet leasing space.

Chief Operating Officer of Simon Malls, Mark Silvestri says the city of Norfolk is the perfect place for the new center.

“This site is relatively flat so they’ll be pushing dirt today and by summer of next year we’ll be ready to open,” said Silvestri. “We’ve been very successful in Williamsburg so we saw this as far enough away so we can reach the Virginia Beach and Norfolk region much better.”

An artist’s rendering of Norfolk Premium Outlets. The planned shopping center is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017. Image Credit: City of Norfolk